Machine embroidery/collage
Using the sewing machine to create embroidered collages does not require great skill with a sewing machine and in fact frees you from restrictions that you may previously have encountered when sewing. A free approach to this technique will be demonstrated, allowing you to draw with the machine, to either enhance pieces of batik or silk painting, or to use it in combination with other fabrics to create collage.
Batik
Batik is the art of dying and decorating fabric, or paper, using hot wax as a resist. Simple or complicated designs can be developed once the technique has been mastered. Traditionally batik is worked onto white fabric, building up successive layers of dye, working from light to dark to create a design. Techniques and skills will be taught to allow confidence to develop and to encourage experimentation that's when the fun starts! We will begin our work on batik by experimenting with batik on tissue paper using bleach and dyes to create amazing effects - you may get hooked!
Silk painting
Painting onto silk complements batik, and in fact the two techniques can be combined. Silk is a luxurious fabric and quite stunning results can be achieved with a little practice. Gutta, used as an outliner creates a resist, similar to the use of wax when doing batik, and can be used in coloured form to draw and decorate as part of a design. Salt can also be used to create amazing textures and patterns, as it resists the dye.
All images are the work of Jenny O'Leary. Click any for a larger view.
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| Machine embroidered tree with collage | Batik tree on paper with blue border and moon | Batik landscape on tissue paper | Batik leaves on paper with reverse applique and stitch embellishment |
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| Sunflower reverse applique | Silk landscape | ||